Affleck to dazzle as Batman

Ben Affleck will make an “extraordinary” Batman, it has been claimed.

It has been announced that the actor will take over the iconic role from Christian Bale for the superhero’s next big screen outing. Ben will star alongside Henry Cavill in a film bringing Batman and Superman together for the first time.

“We knew we needed an extraordinary actor to take on one of DC Comics’ most enduringly popular super heroes, and Ben Affleck certainly fits that bill and then some,” Warner Bros President Greg Silverman said in a statement.

Zack Snyder, who directed Henry’s debut as Superman in Man of Steel, believes Ben will be an “interesting counter-balance” to his co-star.

The filmmaker is hugely excited about teaming up with the pair for the superhero mash-up.

“Ben has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne. I can’t wait to work with him,” he said.

It has been confirmed that Ben’s Batman will be “an entirely new incarnation of the character”, following Christian’s appearance in the Christopher Nolan-directed blockbuster trilogy.

This won’t be Ben’s first portrayal of a superhero. He previously played blind brave man Daredevil in the panned 2003 movie.

The Man of Steel sequel is yet to be given a title, but will see Henry reunited with his co-stars – Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Laurence Fishburne as Perry White and Diane Lane as Martha Kent.

Production is slated to begin next year, and the movie has a release date of July 2015.

Ben follows in the footsteps of stars such as Christopher, George Clooney and Michael Keaton in playing the caped crusader.